Trending
Warren County is in the beginning stage of rolling out a landbank initiative as another way to push forward property redevelopment efforts.
Each municipality can join and the City of Warren has yet to do so.
The topic was before council during Monday's work session.
Councilman Phil Gilbert also chairs the landbank and said the idea is "pretty simple."
One of the primary benefits he outlined is the ability to jump the line at judicial tax sale to acquire properties.
The thought is that would allow the landbank to secure target properties sooner than the process would otherwise allow.
Gilbert acknowledged that some people have qualms because it's the government stepping in to the sale process but he was quick to point out that "what we're doing now isn't working."
He said the county commissioners have contributed $15,000 annually for the next three years to fund the project, speculating the landbank may address one or two properties per year.
"(It's) not something we are going to use all the time," he stressed. "It's there and it's ready so that if there is a nuisance property" it can be addressed.
He used the former Brick House on Liberty Street as an example where this mechanism would have allowed officials to get control of the property years sooner when the structure was in better condition.
"Getting a landbank in place gives quicker access to acquiring the properties through legal means," Councilman Maurice Cashman.
But he had one cautionary word -- "They cost money…. No landbank in the country makes money."
Gilbert said some subject properties might be salvageable and others might not be but are located in the right location. The landbank allows officials to "get ahold of that and use it for future development."
Council also spent some time Monday discussing a way to capture the best electricity rates moving forward.
The city entered into a six month agreement that runs to July.
Mayor Dave Wortman's proposal would see council selecting a price range that it approves of and then giving the manager or mayor permission to lock in that rate, rather than waiting for what the rates are on a given day when council meets.
He said that a mild winger has driven prices down.
"Come spring time, it might be a good time to lock in," he said.